Coal-mine roof-supporting mechanism and means for operating the same



Oct. 25,1927.-

E. C. MORGAN COAL MINE ROOF SUPPORTING MECHANISM AND MEANS FOR OPERATING THE SAME Fild Sept. 4. 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet A Oct. 25 1927.

v E. C. MORGAN COAL MINE ROOF SUPPORTING ME CHANISM AND MEANS FOR OPERATING THE SAME 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed se t 192s n22 iamlmm 1646417 Oct. 25,1927. at MORGAN COAL MINE ROOF SUPPORTING MECHANISM AND MEANS FOR OPERATING THE .SAME

Filed Sept. 4, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 oct'. 25 1927.

E. c. MORGAN COAL MINE ROOF SUPP ORTING MECHANISM AND MEANS FOR OPERATING THESAME Filed Sept. 4, 19 23 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I I Q) Eu enio:

4 Q/fe .llllll] 6A @Z W'A flbto'rm a I Patented Oct. 25, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE}.

EDMUND O. MORGAN, DECEASED, BY OLIVE EUGENIE MORGAN, EXECUTRIX, OF NEW YORK, N. Y. I

COAL-MINE ROOF-SUPPORTING MECHANISM AND MEANS FOR OPERATING SAME.

Application filed September 4, 1923. Serial No. 660,954.

The invention relates to mechanism for supporting roofs in mines for the purpose of controlling the subsidence thereof, and mech-, anism. for operating roof props to shift them into new positions adjacent the space where mining operations are being carried on.

' The object of the present invention is the provision of improved sectional roof-supporting mechanism.

A further object of the invent-ion is the provision of improved and efiicient means for releasing, shifting and positioning sectional roof-propping mechanism for the purpose of protecting the space where mining operations are being carried on and controlling the subsidence of the roof over the area from which the nineral has been removed.

More particularly it is the object of the present invention to provide hydraulicallyoperated mechanism for releasing, shifting and positioning a series of adjacent roof props in a coal mine chamber adjacent the space where mining operations are being carried on to protect such space and control the subsidence of the roof on the opposite side of the series of roof props by establishing a predetermined break line.

Another object of the invention is the provision of mechanism for exerting hammer blows to effect the operation of roof prop-- ping apparatus.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter, the novel features and combina tions being set forth in the appended claims.

deferring to the accon'ipanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a plan view of the improved mecha nism for operating sectional roof props;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional elevation of Fig. 1 with the addition of portions of roof-propping mechanism shown in eleva tion; said sectional elevation being on the line 2 2, looking 'in the direction of the arrow;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of Fig. 1 on the line 33,' looking in the direction of the arrows, with the addition of a series of roof propsand a pair of roof jacks spaced apart and located at the. sides of the machine; I v r 4: is a sectional elevation 'of Fig. 1- on the line 44, looking in the direction of Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view onthe line 77 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction, of thearrows;

Fig. 8 is a plan view showing diagrammatically a series of roof props extending across a space from which the coal vein has been removed adjacent the coal faces, with means located at intervals for shifting the roof props gradually to a new line or series; and v Fig.9 is an elevational view of the roof prop operating mechanism in position for operating the sectional roof props, two of which are shown in elevation.

By referring to Fig. 1 it will be seenthat the supporting frame 10 carries an electric motor 11, which is provided with a shaft 12 journaled at its outer end in the bearing. 13. Mounted on the shaft 12 is a pinion 14. The latter is loose' on the shaft 12, but may be connected to rotate "therewith by means 0f the clutch 15, which is operable by the lever 16 pivoted to the frame 10 at 17, as shown in Fig. 3.

is shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the frame 10 is adapted to be mounted on and supported by the rearward extensions 18 of the lower sections 19 so that such frame 10 may slide along laterally on the extensions 18. r

The mechanism for shiftingthe frame 10 laterally along the extensionlS and transversely thereof, is shown in Figs. 1 and 3. This mechanism comprises roof jacks 20 and 21, which are placed on opposite sides of the supporting frame 10. A rope 22 is secured at its ends to the roof jacks 20 and 21 andintermediate its ends this rope is woundon the drum. 23 which is journaled in thebearings 24: and 25 on the frame 10. l Vhen the clutch 12 is thrown in to transmit power from the motor 11 the pinion 14 will be rotated to operate the gears 26, 27 and 28 to rotate the drum 23 and thereby shift the frame 10 laterally, transversely of and controller the frame 10 may be started,

stopped or reversed, as desiredi However, after the motor has been started in a certain direction it is preferred to use the clutch 12 for operating the drum 23 intermittently to shift the frame 10 forward, step-by-step.

A guide pulley 29 may be pivotedat 36 on the frame 10 to direct the rope 22 through an opening 31 in the auxiliary frame 32, which is mounted on and rigidly secured to the frame 16 or may be made integral therewith, as shown in Fig. 3, so as to move bodily with the frame 10.

A foldable operators platform 33 may be pivotally connected at 34 and to the lower rear edge of the frame 10, 32, as shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2 an abutment lug 36 may be associated with hinge so as to hold the operators platform 33 in horizontal position above the ground level 34.

The auxiliary frame 32 is provided with a lower extension 37 which is adapted to abut against the rearend 38 of the roof prop extension 18. The forward portion of the frame 32 is provided with a foot 39 which is adapted to rest on top of the extension 18. The rear portion ofthe frame 10, 32 rests on the rear end 38 of extension 18, whereas v the forward portion of such frame is provided with feet 39 and 40 which rest on the upper horizontal plane surface of the extensions 18. i

Mounted in the auxiliary frame 32is a hydraulic ram comprising concentric hydraulic cylinders telescoping into each other.

One "of these cylinders 41 is connected to a travelling tertiary frame 42which is adapted to be guided along the guide grooves 43 and 44 in the vertical walls 45 and 46 of the auxiliary frame 32. i

Surrounding the cylinder 41 is another cylinder 47 which is secured,'by means of the cross-piece 48 and the bolts 49, to the walls 45 and 46. The cylinder 47 is pro vided with a gasket 50 to secure a hydraulic fit on the exterior of the cylinder 41. An entry port for the fluid pressure medium is provided at 51 between the inner ends of the cylinders 41 and 47. l

Movable into the cylinder 41 is a plunger 52, which is secured rigidly at 53 to the inner vertical front wall of the auxiliary frame 32. A stuffing box is provided at 54 on the cylinder head 55 of the. cylinder 41 to surround the plunger 52. A port is provided at 56 to introduce the pressure medium into the passageway 57, which leadsthrough the plunger 52 into the cylinder 41.

It-will thus be seen that when pressure medium is introduced into the passageway 57 and the port 51 is open to exhaust, the tertiary frame 42 and the parts carried thereby will be moved tothe left, as viewed in Fig. 2, while guided along the grooves 43 and 44 between the spaced-apart vertical walls 45 and 46 of the auxiliary frame 32. then pressure medium is introduced into the port 51 and the port 56is open to exhaust, the cylinder 41 and the. tertiary frame 42 will be moved to the right, as viewed in Fig. 2, relatively to the frame 32, between the walls 45 and 46, while being guided by the grooves 43 and 44. It should be understood that the roclr-shafts 58 and 59 are mounted on the frame 42 to project, respec tively, into the grooves 43 and 44 in the wall 46 and that another pair of slots or grooves in the wall 45, similar to the'pair designated 43, 44, receive the other ends of the rockshafts58 and 59.

The rock-shaft 58 is provided with an arm 60 which is connected to a rope 61, the latter extending over a pulley 62 to a weight 63 at its free end. Also connected to the rockshaft 58 is along and powerful pawl 64 Wl11Cl1, when in lowered position, is adapted to rest in the pocket 65. 1

The rock-shaft 59 is provided with a cranloarm 66 to whichis secured one end of rope 67, the other end of which extends around the pulley 62 and is secured to the weight 68. Also connected tothe rock-shaft 59 is a powerful elongated pawl 69, which,

when in its upper position, rests inthe pocket 70. The weight 68, by exerting a pull on the rope 67, may normally hold the pawl 69 counter-balanced so that it will be easy pocket 70 so as to clear with certainty the.

notch 71. In a similar manner when the operator moves the weighted handle 63 upwardly the pawl 64 may be lowered by its own weight into the pocket 65 so as to clear with certainty the notches 72, 73 and 74 in the upper extension 75 of the upper roof prop shoe 76. When a downward pull is exerted on'the weighted handle 63 the pawl 64 may be easilyrmoved upwardly so as to engage one of the notches 72, 73 or 74.

Another pawl-operating device is located on the frame 10 in theposition shown in Fig. 1. This pawl-operating device comprises a standard 77 securedto the frame 10 and provided with a guideway 7 8 to receive the block 79. As shown in Fig. 4, this block 79 is provided witha depending projection 80 having a screw-threaded opening therethrough adapted to receive the threaded shaft 81 which has, a retaining collar 82 at one end and a wheel-operating nut83 at the other end. A pawl 84: is mounted on a rock-shaft S in a pocket 86. The pawl Set may be lifted orlowered by means of the lever 87. i

The pawl 8 1 may be used to engage one of the notches 72, 73 01774 of an upper rearward extension of an anchored roof prop 7 5 having the upper roof-engaging shoe 7 6. Fig. 7 is a sectional view of Fig. 1 on the line 77, looking in the direction of the arrows, but enlarged to better illustrate the details of construction. An upper extension 88 from the frame 10 forms a standard for guiding the abutment block 89, which fits into and is slidable vertically, in the pocket 90. The block 89 has secured thereto a screw-threaded rod 89 which is provided with a wheeled-nut 92 which is adapted to effect the lifting and lowering of the block 89. When in lowered position, as shown in Fig. 7 it forms an abutment back of the rear end 38 for one of the extensions 18. By referring to Fig. 1 it will be seen that the wheel 92 is located approximately opposite the rear end of the cylinder head 55, when the latter is in the position shown in Fig. 2. As will be later more fully explained, the abutment 89, fitting against the rear end of a lower section of an anchored roof prop, will hold the frame 10 against movement toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 1, whereas the pawl 84, fitting into a notch 72, 73 or 7 1, of an upper extension of an anchored oof jack, will hold the frame 10 against movement toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 1. Since the frame 10 is thus locked against movement toward the right or toward the left, as viewed in Fig.1, the hydraulic ram mechanism shown in Fig. ,2 may be operated in either direction against the stationary auxiliary'frame 32 whichis rigidly connected to the frame 10. hen

the roof props are to be tightened the pawl' (34 is lifted so that when the frame 12 is moved toward the right the upperextenslon 75 will be moved toward the right to cause the inclined portion to ride up on the inclined surface 91 and thus wedge apart the roof-propping sections while the lower section is kept from moving toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 2, by the abutting connections 37, 38, since the frame 32 is lockedagainst movement toward the right and toward the left by the pawl 84 andthe abut. ment block 89.

By referring to Fig. 1 it will be the frame 32 is provided with a lock or abutment 93 which is adapted to abut against the' floor shoe or base frame of an adjacent anchored roof prop. That is to say, while the downwardly projecting extension 37 as shown in Fig. 2 abuts against the rear end of the floor shoe of a roof prop to be operated,

seen that tions arecarried on along the working faces or rear ends of the coal pillars and the mined coal transported out of the mine along the entries 95. The series of parallel roof props are shown at 97 extending from the wall 98 to the wall 99. The space 100 represents the area from which the coal has been mined and in this space the coal may be permitted to subside. The series 97 of roofprops controls such subsidence by forming a break line indicated at 101, which is at the rear end of the roof shoe as shown in Fig. 9. Inan'y event the roof 1s supported by the series of roof props so that no subsidencecan occur except at the break line 101 or back of the same, and therefore the space 102 where mining operations are being carried on is amply protected. It should also be noted that the rear upper surfaces 103 of the base frames are inclined downwardly and rearwardly toform an inclined plane which is continuous from the wall 98 to the wall 99 and which assists in causing subsided coal to move toward the space 100.

At 104s in Fig. 8 are represented diagrammatically a plurality of roof prop operating devices of the type illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3. These operating devices may each be operated independently of the others so that a number of roof propsmay be released at the same time and moved forwardly and anchored in new positions. forward movement of the roof props is always gradual in that the remaining roof props continue to be anchored until the forwardly moved roof prop is reanchored. That is to say, the percentage of released roof props is always small and the shifting of the roof props to new positions and the reanchoring' of the san'ie to form a new series always takes place gradually. Therefore space 102 where the mining operations are being carried on is always'fully protected.

In some instances the coal veins may be comparatively narrow, in which event the platform is'particularly useful for the operator to lie on or rest on in a kneeling or crouching position.

To facilitate movement of the frame 10 over the mine floornn adjustable skid 105 is pivoted at 106 to the platform 10, as shown in Figs. land 5. By means of the worm and worm wheel gearing 107 the skid 105 may be moved from-the full line position shown in Fig. '5 to the broken line position shown at 108. In the latter position the However, the

skid supports the platform in elevated position independently of the floor shoes. The skid 105 not only facilitates movement of the frame 10 and the parts mounted thereon, over the mine floor into position for operation; but also tilts upwardly the platform 10 so as to initially permit one of the floor shoes to be moved under the frame 32 whilethe extension 37 still rests on the mine floor, and hile the platform 33 is folded to a vertical position. The skid 105 is located midway between the sides of the machine shown in Fig.1 so that ample space is provided under the frame 32 for insertion of the floor shoe 18. When a notched shoe is also in position the hydraulic motor may be operated sons to engage one of the notches 72, 73 or 7442. whereupon the frame 32, together with the platform 10, will be moved up on the shoe 18 until the extension37 abuts against the rear end 38 of the floor shoe.

The base frame 19, as shown in Fig. 2, has secured. to the upper side thereof a bracket 109 which is provided with an in clined trough to receive the lower inclined surface of the upper frame which carries the roof shoe 76. By reference to Fig. 9 it will be seen thatwhen the hydraulic motor moves the roof and floor shoes horizontally in opposite directions relatively to each other the roof prop will be expanded to secure anchor ing of the Same. That is to say, while the floor shoe is stationary and the hydraulic motor operates to slide the roof shoe in a horizontal direction along the roof the framework between the floor and roof shoes is expanded to secure a wedging effect, thereby anchoring the floor and roof shoes firmly between the floor and roof of the mine.

chamber.

Then the supporting framework between the floor and roof shoes is expanded to se cure anchoring of the roof prop the resistance increases as the shoes are being anchored. It is therefore desirable to operate the hydraulic motor with hammer blow when a predetermined resistance is reached. After the roof props have been anchored the roof tends to subside, thereby clamping together the triangular frames with even greater force than that exerted thereon to secure anchoring of the floor and roof shoes, since the surface contact between the triangular frames is at such an angle that it will be difficult to overcome the frictional engagement between such surfaces. However, on account of the diliiculty under such circumstances of releasing the roof props against such frictionalcontact it is also desirable to operate the motor with a hammer blow to release the floor and roof shoes.

To secure such hammer blow to operate the roof props the system of valves shown in Fig. 6 is provided. By referring to 1 and 2 it will be seen that apressure'supply pipe 51. leads to the port 51 between the cylinders 48 and 41'. A pressure supply pipe 56 leads to the port 56, which is connected to the passageway 57 extending through the plunger 52. The valve may be located in the pipe 51 and the valve 111 in the pipe and 111 are each three-way valves so that when in one position one will be connected to the supply and the other to the exhaust.

For instance, when the valve 110 is in such a position that the pump will force the liquid through the pipe 122 ,into the pipe 51 the exhaust pipe 12 willbe closed. At the same time the valve 111 will be in such a position that the pipe 56 will be connected to the exhaust pipe 125 and the supply pipe 123 will be closed. The arrangement is such that when the pump is operated the fluid pressure medium'may be forced into port 51 shown in Fig. 2 to spread apart the cylinders 18 and 11, while at the same time the port 56 will be connectedto exhaust so that as the cylinder 41 moves toward the right the pressure medium in the latter may be forced through the passageway 57. Likewise when the pressure medium is supplied to the port 56 and the cylinder ll moves toward the left the liquid in the cylinder 18 is exhausted through the port 51.

' As shown in F 6, the piston 126 when moved upwardly will draw into the port 127 the liquid from the source of supply and this liquid is free to pass the check valve 128 into the chamber 129 of the cylinder 120. As the piston moves down the checkvalve 128 is closed, and check valve 130 is opened against the action of the spring 131 and the liquid is forced through the passageway 132 into the pipe 122 and thence through the valve 110 and the pipe 51 to the port 51. The pumping action may be continued until the back pressure due to the anchoring of the roof prop becomes sufiicient to operate the valve 183. In Fig. '6 a passageway 134 is shown communicating with the passageway 182. When the pressure in passageway 134 on the piston 135 is sufiicient to overcome the spring 136 the valve 133 will be closed shutting off communication between the supply port 127 and the passageway 137. lVhen this occurs the pump piston 126 is still in operation and therefore the liquid will constantly act as an abutment and cause the motor to exert a hammer blow to very powerfully and quickly move the root shoe horizontally along the mine root to secure an extra squeezing of the floor and root shoes into roof proping positions. understood that the pump 121 may be also provided with the valve arrangement shown in Fig. 6 so that when the floor shoe is to be moved horizontally along the floor by the pawl 69 an extraordinary effort may be made to secure the release of the roof prop by the hammer blow action due to the closing of the-valve 133 when the pressure in the passageway 134E reaches a predetermined amount. An additional safety valve may be placed in a by-pass pip-e leading from the pipe 122 to the tank or source otsuppl'y. That is to say, in a by-pass from the pipe 122 to the source of liquid may be located a check valve set to be opened when the pressure in the pipe 122 exceeds a predetermned amount so that continued movement of the piston 126 will not injure the mechanism by securing a greater hammer blow than desired, but will permit the excess pressure to force the liquid through the by-pass check valve to the tank having a supply of liquid. By referring to Fig. 3 it will be seen that the base frames for the floor shoes are hollow so as to save materialand to lighten their constructio11,-as they are preferably made of metal. They are self sustainingin that they will rest on the floor by gravity without assistance and also support the upper frames 90 while the latter at the'horizontal portions of the root extensions engage the brackets 109. As shown at 138 in Fig. 3, the upper frames are in reality narrow plates as compared with the root shoes 76. The elongated root and floor shoes with larger shoes spread laterally to widths ap proximately equal to the widths of the floor shoes enables the series of root props to be extended over a wide area, as shown in Fig. 8, and thus more effectively support the root and protect the space where m ning operations are being carried on. Furthermore, the open spaces 139 of Fig. 3 between the vertical plates 138 ai'iordlargeopen passageways between the space 100 of Fig. 8 and the working space 102. Therefore, notw1thstanding the arrangement oi the roof props from one wall 98 to the other wall 99, ventilationvwill not be interfered with, and it the subsidence of the roof in the space 100 causes a sudden" rush of air the spaces 139 will facilitate such rush of air into the entries 95. Y

I Obviously those skilled in the art may make various changes the details and arrangementof parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention delined by the claims hereto appended, and it is therefore desired not to be restricted to the precise construction herein disclosed.

It should be motions to operate the latter.

ated motor, and connections between said motor and said shoes for expanding the latter along such incline to cause said shoes to firmly grip the floor and the root.

2. In mine root-supporting mechanism, the combination with a root shoe adapted to engage'the roof of a mine chamber, of a floor shoe adapted to rest on and move over a mine floor, wedging connections between said shoes in position to expand said shoes respectively against the floor and the root'of the mine chamber, an operating 'motor' for said wedging connections, and connections between said motor and said wcdging *eon- 3. In mine root-supporting mechanism,

the combination with a floor shoe adapted to rest on and move over a mine floor, of a roof shoe adapted to engage the root of a mine chamber, inter-engaging wedging frames for carrying said shoes in position toresp'ectively engage the floor and the root of the mine chamber, an operating motor, and means for detachably mounting said motor between said shoes to operate said wedging frames to expand said shoes-insupporting positions against the floor and roof.

ii. In mine roof-supporting mechanism. the combination with a rodf shoe adapted to enga e the root of a mine chamber, of a floor shoe adaptedto rest on and move over a mine floor, triangular frames for carrying said shoes in position to respectively engage the floor and the roof of a mine chamber, inclined. interengaging sliding connections betweensaid trames'to eiiect wedging action between said frames and thereby anchor said shoes respectively against the floor and the roof of the mine chamber, a

motor, and connections for said motor-to en-Y' the combination with a floor shoe adapted to rest on and move over a mine floor, of a roof shoe, "QXPiLIlSlblB mechanism between said shoes for operating the same to ;anchoring positions,ia motor having a frame abutting against one end. of one, of said shoes,

and a connection between said motor and the other shoe foreflecting the actuation of said expansible mechanism to operate the same as aforesaid 1 s 6. In mine roof-supporting mechauiz-nn, the combination with afloor shoe adapted to rest on and move over a mine floor, of a roof shoe, expansible framework between said shoes, a motor, and connections between said motor and said shoes to move the same longitudinally 1n opposite directions and thereby operate saidexpansible fran'iework to force said shoes firmly intozuichored positions against thcjiloor and the roof of the mine chamber. a

7. In roof-supporting mechanism, the

ecombinatioirwith an elongated hollow selfsupporting base frame having an upper inclinedsurface, of an elongatedroof-engaging shoe having a width at the roof approximately equal to the width of the said frame at the floor, a second frame having a lower inclined surface fitting said upper inclined surface, and a narrow connecting plate between said frame and said roof-engaging shoe to afford air spaces below the roof shoe on both sides of saidnarrow plate. 7

8. In mine roof supporting mechanism, the combinationwith a base frame having a floor shoe, of a roof shoe, inter-engaging mechanism between said roof shoe and said frame for spreading apart said shoesto operate the same against the floor and roof of the mine chamber, and a notched extension on onerof said shoesinposition to have connected theretoa motor for operating said interengaging,mechanism.

9. In mineroof supporting mechai'iism,

the combination with a bar-1e fran'ie hating a shoe adapted to rest on and move over a mine floor, said base frame haringan upper 1nclined surface, a second frame havm a r0of-e1igagmg shoe and a lower inclined surface fitting said upper inclined surface, and detachable selhcontarned power-operated apparatus adapted to be connected to one shoe and abut against the other to slide the shoes in parallel opposite directions to cause said inclined surfacesto spread the shoes apart to anchored positionsbetwcen the floor and the roof of the mine chamber.

10. In mine roof suppo1 .-ting mechanism, the combination with anhel'on: lted base 1 frame having a floor shoe and an upper inclined surface, of an elongated roof shoe parallel to said floor shoe, a second frame for carryingsaid roofs-nee and having a lower inclined surface htting said upper 1nclined surface, a horizontal extension on one of said shoes provided with means for the application of pow-r to slide the shoe: relatively in opposite directions .to causesaid frames to expand and anchor said shoes, and a portable detachable opera 'ing device "abutting against one en'dof onewof said ease-1'7 shoes and connected to the aforesaid means of the other shoe to effect said application of power to operate said shoes.

11. In mine roof supporting mechanism,

the combination with an elongated roof shoe,

of an elongated floor shoe, expansible frame- ,work mechanically connecting said shoes,

horizontalextensions on said shoes with a free and unobstructed space between them for the positioning of power-operated mechanism, and means on said extensions to adapt them to receive the application of mechanical power from such power-operated mechanism to mechanically operate said framework to in turn operate said shoesL 12. In mine roof supporting mechanism, the combination with a floor engaging shoe,

of a roof engaging shoe, expansible frame traneous to said framework but adapted to be connected .to said parallel spaced-apart extensions for operating the expansible supportingframework and therebyeffecting the operation of the roof prop.

let. In mine roof supportmg, mechanism,

the combination with a roof prop comprising expansible sup )orting framework, of parallel spaced-apart extensions from the roof propvalong the floor and roof respectively, and means for exerting forces on said extensions horizontally along the roof and floor and approximately parallel thereto to operate said framework to anchor said roof prop. 1- i 15.'In mine roofsupporting mechanism, the combination with a roof prop comprising expansible framework, of "parallel spaced-apart extensions connected to said framework, and detachable power-operated mechanism connected to said extensions to more the same relatively in opposite directions parallel to the floor and roof respectively to cause said frameworkito expand in adirection atfright angles to the floor and roof. i i

16. In mine roof supporting ,mechanism, the combination with a roof prop elongated in a direction parallel to the roof andfloor of a mine chamber and comprising expansible framework, and detachable means connectedto said framework to act thereon in opposite directions paralleling; the roof and ill) iii)

lLSU

floor to expand said framework and anchor the roof prop.

17. In roof-supporting mechanism, the combination with an expansible roof prop, of oppositely movable notched extensions along the floor and roof respectively, and means adapted to engage said extensions to move the same in opposite directions and thereby operate said expansible roof prop.

18. In mine roof supporting mechanism, the combination with a base frame having a floor shoe, of a roof shoe, expansible mechanism connecting said base frame to said roof shoe, and means adapted to abutagainst one end of the base frame and the under side of the roof shoe and slide the latter along the roof to actuate said expansible mechanism to anchor said shoes to the floor and roof of the mine chamber.

19. In roof-supporting mechanism, the combination with a. base frame having a floor shoe, of a notched extension of the floor shoe, a roof shoe, a notched extension of the roof shoe, expansible. means between said frame and said roof shoe, and means between said extensions for operating said expansible means to anchor or release said shoes from the floor and roof of the mine chamber.

20. In roof-supporting mechanism, the combinationwith a base frame havinga floor shoe provided with a notch in its upper surface, at its rear portion, of a roof shoe having a' notched lower surface at its rear portion, expansible mechanism between said frame and said roof shoe, mechanism adapted to abut against the rear end of said roof shoe and engage the lower notched surface of said roof shoe to slide the latter along the roofand thereby operate said expansible mechanism to anchor isaid shoes, and auxiliary mechanism adapted to engage the notch in the lower shoe to slide the latter rearwardly to release'the shoes from the floor and roof.

21. In an anchorage for mines, the combination with roof and floor-engaging shoes, of expansible wedge mechanism between the same, and mechanism for moving one shoe longitudinally parallel to the floor and roof of the mine chamber to operate the wedge mechanism to anchor both shoes and for moving the other shoe longitudinally parallel to the floor and roof to release said wedge mechanism to effect the release of both shoes.

2-2. In roof propping mechanism for mines, the combination with a plurality of elongated individual expansible roof props, of a portable frame having extensions adapted to abut against: the rear end of a roof prop to be operated and also against the rear end of an adjacent anchored roof prop, and means on'said portable frame for anchoring a released roof prop.

23. In roof-supporting mechanism, the

combination with a plurality of parallel elongated roof props each comprising roof and floor-engaging shoes with intervening expansible mechanism, of a portable frame adapted to abut against the floor shoe of roof prop to be anchored and an adjacent pawl for engaging one of said shoes, and

means for controlling the said actuating device to secure the anchoring of said roof prop.

' 25. In roof-supporting mechanism, the combination with a roof prop comprising floor and roof engaging shoes and wedging mechanism between the same, of a horizontally operable hydraulic motor, and means operated by said motor to effect the opera-' tion of said wedging mechanism.

26. In mine roof supporting mechanism, the combination with a roof prop comprising floor and roof engaging shoes with intervening mechanically operated expansible means, of a portable motor, and connections for said motor to said expansible means to exert forces thereon in opposite directions parallel to the floorand roof to mechanically operate said expansible means to anchor said shoes to the floor and 'roof of the mine chamber; i

27. In roof-supporting mechanism, the combination with a plurality ofroof props adapted to be placed in a row adjacent each other successively, and each comprising roof and floor engaging shoes and intervening expansible means entirely mechanical, a portable motor adapted to be moved along said roof props transversely thereof, and connections between said motor and each of said roof props for operatingthe latter to anchored and released positions and to positions to form a new row of such roof props.

28. In roof-supporting mechanism, the combination with a series of individual roof props in a row to form a roof support extending over a wide area and each comprising elongated floor and roof-engaging shoes with expansible wedge mechanism intervening, a portable motor movable along the series transversely of the roof props, and connections to effect sliding of the shoes along the floor and roof to release the same and move the same into new positions and,

anchor the same in such new positions to form anew series of such roof props.

29. In a system of roof supporting mechanism adapted to control the subsidence of the roof into the space where mining operations have been completed, the combination with a series of individual elongated roof props eaehcomprising elongated floor and roof-engagingv shoes with intervening expansible means entirely mechanical, ofa plurality of portable motors each movable along such series of roof props, and connections adapting each of said motors to release any one of said roof props, move the same .air passages from oneside of the series to the other to permit free passage of air through the series when the roof subsides on one side thereof, of a portable motor, and means operated by said motor for individually releasing said roof props, moving the same into new positions and anchoring thelsame in such new positions to form a new series of such closely adjacent roof props. i

31. In roof-supporting mechanism, the combination with a portable frame, of a series of roofjacl s, each comprising a roof shoe and a floor shoe, an abutment on said frame in position to engage the rear end of one of the floor shoes, an additional abutment on said frame to engage one of the roof shoes, said abutments co-acting to prevent movement of said fi'zune in either direc. tion longitudinally of the jacks, and mech anism mounted on saidframe in position to be connected to the roof jacks individually to operate them by releasing them, shifting them and anchoring then'u In roof-supporting mechanism, the combination with a series of elongated roof jacks adapted to be placed in parallelismin a series to form a break line to control the subsidence of the roof into the space where mining operations have been completed, each of said roof jacks comprislng an elongated floor shoe and a notched elongated roof shoe,

of a portable frame movable along the floor shoes, an abutment adapted to be thrust from the bottom of said frame into position back of an anchored floor shoe of one of the roof jacks, adjustable mechanisig adapted to be thrust into a notched roof shoe of another roof. jack to co'act with said abutment to hold the frame against movement longitudinally of the roof jacks, and mechanism mounted on said frame in position torelease a roof jack, movethe same to a new position and anchor the same in such new position.

. 33. In roof-supporting mechanism, the

of roof jacks, means on said roof jacks for I guiding said frame, a motor for driving said winding mechanism, fluid pressure mechanism on said frame for operating said roof jacks, and a pump operated by said motorfor supplying-fluid pressure medium to sald fluid pressure mechanism. I 34.. In weft-supporting mechanism, the combination with aroof prop comprising floor and roof shoes with intervcning expansible mechanism, of afluid pressure motor for operating said roof jacks, and pumping mechanism for supplying pressuremedium to said motor and exerting a hammer blow at a predetermined accumulated pressure. c 1

35. In roof-supporting mechanism, the combination of aroof prop comprising floor and roof shoes and intervening expansible mechanism, and means for exerting a hammer blow on said expansible mechanism to release said shoes. i

.36. In roof-supporting mechanism, the

combination with a roof prop. comprising .0 I V noor and roof shoes and intervening expansihle mechanism having inclined contacting wedginp' surfaces, of means for operating said expansible mechanism to anchor or release said shoes, and mechanism,coacting' with said operating means to exert ahammer blow to tightenvsaid shoes in anchoreti position or to release thesame. i t

37. In roof supporting mechanism, the combination with a floor shoe, of a roof shoe, intervening expansible mechanism coniiprising triangular frames respectively connected to said shoesto move therewith,

said frames having inclined wedging contacting surfaces, motor mechanism for sliding said shoes relatively in opposite direcr tions to cause said frames'by said inclined surfaces to anchor saidshoes, and'means for effecting the application of an extra squeeze on said'shoes when in anchored positions. 38 In roofsupporting mechanism, the combination with a roof shoe, of a floor shoe, mechanical operating connections between saidshocs, and portable detachable mechanism for operating said mechanical connections to actuate said shoes.

39.111 roof-supporting mechanism, the

combination with a roof shoe, of a floor shoe, mechanical operating connections between said shoes, and a portable motor adapted to be applied at will to operate said mechani cal connections and actuatesaid shoes.

{10. In mine roof supporting mechanism, the combination with a floor shoe, of a roof shoe, means comprisinginc-lined engaging faces between said shoes for adjusting the lBlELlZlVQPOSltlOIlS of the latter, parallel pro- Cal lllt) lln jections from said shoes extending along the roof and the floor of the mine chamber, and detachable means adapted to rest on one of said projections and engage the otherprojection overhear." to effect relative inoven'ienls of said engaging faces to anchorsaid shoes. 41. In mine roof supporting mecbanis 1, the combination witha floor shoe, of a roof shoe, inclined wedging connections between said shoes, elongated extensions of said shoes on the same side of said connections,and means adapted to be applied to said extensions and between the same to move the lat: ter in opposite directions relatively and respectively along the fioor and roof of the mine chamber to operate said wedging connections to secure the application or release of said shoes. I

42. In mine roof supporting mechanism,

-..- the combination with roof and floor shoes,

of mechanical actuating connections between the same, a hydraulic motor, a frame for supporting said motor, a connection between said frame and one of said shoes to prevent movement of said frame relatively to the last-named shoe, and a connection between said motor and the other shoe to secure movement of the shoe in a direction parallel to the roof and floor upon the operation of said motor.

43. In mine roof supporting mechanism, the combination with floor and roof shoes, of actuating means between the same, a hydraulic motor, a frame for supporting said motor, means for holdingsaid frame stationary relative to one of said shoes, and a connection between said motor and the other shoe to exert a positive direct force thereon to operate said actuating means to anchor both of saidshoes between the floor and the roof 'ofthe mine-chamber.

44. In mine roof supporting mechanism, the combination with floor and roof shoes, of actuating connections between the same, a motor having a frame connected to one shoe for the latter to serve'as an abutment, and a connection between the motor and the other shoe to cause the motor to exert forces on said shoes in opposite directions parallel to the roof and floor to effect the anchoring of said shoes.

45. In mine roof supporting mechanism, the combination with floor and roof shoes, of actuating connections between the same, a motor having a frame with an abutment engaging one of said shoes, a lateral abutment on said frame serving to engage an adjacent anchored roof support to aline said floor shoe laterally with the floor shoe of the anchored roof support, and a connection between said motor and said roof shoe to operate said actuating connections when said motor is operated.

y 46. In mine roof supporting mechanism, the combination with a floor shoe, of a wide-- ly expanded horizontal flat roof shoe, a.na1

row plate depending from the horizontal flat roof shoe to afford air spa e .b 1 th horizontal roof shoe on both sides of said narrow plate, and anchoring connections be tween said plate and the fioorshoe.

47. In mine roof supporting mechanism, the combination with a'multiplicity of floor shoes adapted to be placed side by side in a ed into a horizontal fiat roof engaging surface and said roof shoesbeing arranged successively closely adjacent to form a break line for the roof to subside into the space from which the mineral has been mined, a series of narrow supports one depending from each of said roof shoes to afford air spaces below the flat horizontal roof shoes between said narrow plates, and anchoring connections between the floor shoes and said narrow plates.

48. In mine roof supporting mechanism, the combination with a roof engaging shoe, of a floor engaging shoe, expansible framework between said shoes, an expansible motor adapted to be connected to said shoes to move the same relatively in opposite directions to operate said expansible framework to spread apart said shoes to anchor the same, mechanism for operating said motor,

and a frame for supporting said motor between said shoes and said operating mechanism on a plurality of adjacent roof supoorts. I

l 49. In mining apparatus, the combination with mechanism to be operated, of a frame, a hydraulic cylinder rigidly connected to said frame, a plunger rigidly connected to said frame with its axis coinciding with the axis of said cylinder, a hollow plunger fitting into said cylinder when in one position and over said rigid plunger when in its opposite position, the stroke of said hollow plunger being from its position in said cylinder to its position over said plunger, said cylinder and said plunger being rigid with said frame, mechanical connections between said hollow plunger and said mechanism to be operated, and means for controlling the operation of said hollow plunger.

50. In hydraulic motor apparatus, the

combination with mechanism to be operated,

of concentric cylinders one fixed and the other movable. a plunger fixed to one of said cylinders with its major portion spaced therefrom but with its axis coinciding with the axis of said fixed cylinder, said movable cylinder being, adapted to move along and over said fixed plunger into and partially outof the said fixed cylinder, mechanical means on the movable cylinder for connection to said mechanism to be operated, and means for controlling the operation of said IOU movable cylinder! relatively. to said plunger and said fixed cylinder to effect the opera tion of said mechanism. t I

51. In mine roof supporting mechanism,

- the conibinatidn with an elongated self-sup- )ortin base frame havin an u )er inclined l c D surface, of an elongated roof-engaging shoe having a width at the roof approximately equal to the width of the frame at the floor,

a second frame having a lower inclined sur 10 face fittingsaid upper inclined surface, and a narrow connecting plate between said frame and said roof-engaging shoe to afford air' spaces below the 'roof shoe'on both'sides of said narrow plate.

OLIVE EUGENIE MORGAN,

gan, Deceased. 

